Comments for Mara Blom Schantz

Comment on Congratulations Class of 2017! by Robert Smith

Robert Smith — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:16:52 +0000

Hi Mara, Thaks for these images. All were really so nice. I loved these all.

Comment on Remembering TT by samantha howard

samantha howard — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 04:26:43 +0000

Mara, thank you for such a loving and succinct tribute to Tiara, Tiffani and the entire family we both love. You knew TT in ways that I somehow missed, and your words capture her essence as deeply as does your photography.

Comment on Remembering TT by samantha howard

samantha howard — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 04:26:32 +0000

Mara, thank you for posting such a loving and succinct tributes to Tiara, Tiffani and the entire family we both love. You knew TT in ways that I somehow missed, and your words capture her as deeply as does your photography.

Comment on Remembering TT by tiffani

tiffani — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 02:58:32 +0000

Thank you for writing such a beautiful post about Tiara and our family. I love seeing all the images together. You are so talented and such a a wonderful friend. I love you and cherish our friendship. xoxo

Comment on Look Around and See Me… by Katharine Halpin

Katharine Halpin — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 15:50:14 +0000

So sorry….

Comment on I’m dreaming of this place… by Cindell

Cindell — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:55:05 +0000

Find a moment in everyday that brings you back to that place in time where the river rolls by…Dellie

Comment on Remembering… by amy vorenkamp photography

amy vorenkamp photography — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:33:44 +0000

Mara – I came across this on your blog and it is beautifully written. I hope the pain lightens at some point and that your loss doesn't always feel so heavy. I've been through my share of loss. My mom gave me a book in college called September by Rosamunde Pilcher. Here is a quote from the book that I always refer to. “…Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word it always was. Let it be spoken without effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.”

Comment on Sweet Days of Childhood… by amy vorenkamp

amy vorenkamp — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:38:29 +0000

Mara – this post made me cry. Loved it.

Comment on In Memory of Brian Carlin by clippingimages

clippingimages — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:54:04 +0000

Thanks to share your nice blog……

Havenlife@rocketmail.com

Comment on Saying Goodbye by Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:24:47 +0000

I have very fond memories of you mother and the time she gave to me when I did an internship at the studio when I was a photography student. When it came time to do an internship for school I knew I wanted to learn from the best in our industry so I called your parents. They did not hesitate to accept me into their busy lives and share their knowledge.

Everyone who walked into that studio loved her. I remember her driving us to lunch and getting waves and waving back at everyone in the town. She was like a celebrity to me. She had a passion for portraiture and an eye for creativity, but I learned more about the art of selling and building relationships with clients from her than anything else.

After graduation I interviewed for a chance to work at the studio. I can remember freaking out over what to wear because your mom was always dressed so great, with such style, and I wanted to look as good as her! I didn’t end up getting the job, but many of the questions and conversations I had with your parents that day stays with me. One question on their test said “What’s most important in photography?” A. Proper exposure. B. Focus. C. That you have professional equipment. D. That people like you.

Being a “Brookie”, I answered A. After the interview they asked me if I had any questions and I asked for the answer to that question. They said D. They said, “If people like you, if they had a good time being photographed, and if you build relationships with them they will overlook minor technical flaws in your work.” It’s always stuck with me.

The person they did hire ended up not working out, and they later called to offer me the job but by then I had taken over teaching at Brooks for Joyce Wilson. I always wondered how different things would have been if I’d chosen D.

Best wishes to you and your family.
Erin Kenly McDonald